Top Education Stories You Don’t Want to Miss – Week of September 9, 2019

Common Launches A Progressive Charter School In Chicago’s South Side

By Ambrosia for Heads

“Less than two weeks ago, Common released his 12th album, Let Love. Featuring production from Karriem Riggins as well as the late J Dilla, the LP also involves Swizz Beatz, A-Trak, and BJ The Chicago Kid, among others. The music campaign coincides with Common’s latest book, Let Love Have The Last Word. The album and the text both promote messages of self-love as well as taking better care of the people around us. Outside of his creative pursuits, Common is doing that in his hometown. This month begins the inaugural year at Art In Motion, a progressive charter school in Chicago’s South Side that Common co-created. According to WGN 9, 200 middle school students are currently enrolled at the institution that enriches arts programs. More grades are expected to be added in the future with 1,000 students expected at capacity.”

 

Edison native receives teaching distinction in Chicago

By CentralJersey.com

“A 1999 graduate of Wardlaw-Hartridge School, who is an Edison native, was recently named a Distinguished Teacher by the Noble Network of Charter Schools in Chicago. Benjamin Das, a band instructor at Noble’s Pritzker College Prep., will receive $10,000 annually for as long as he remains a teacher at Noble, according to information provided by Noble. “Teaching music is the best thing I have to offer this world. I have no desire to move up to administration or change careers,” Das said in the statement. “It’s incredibly rewarding to be honored for something you love doing and are encouraged to keep doing.” Since graduating from Wardlaw-Hartridge, Das went on the attend the Berklee College of Music, graduating with a Bachelor of Music. From there, he began his career at Pritzker College Prep, where he has served as a band instructor for the last 15 years.”

 

In area beset by violence and deportations, Chicago opens a mental health clinic for infants and toddlers

By Cassie Walker Burke for Chalkbeat

“Inside Chicago’s first stand-alone mental health center for young children, new therapy rooms come stuffed with play kitchens, toy police stations, and cuddly plush toys. While the children play — sometimes in view of a two-way mirror that lets therapists observe how they interact with parents or caregivers — the youngsters might act out the stress of detainments and deportations or anguish over family members being shot or abused. A free-standing mental health clinic for infants and toddlers is believed to be unique in Chicago, and it’s likely a rare find even nationally. Erikson Institute, a Chicago-based early education policy and teacher training institute, raised money for the clinic here in a Little Village strip mall for a reason. The clinic, which has quietly been in operation this summer but had a grand opening Tuesday, sits in a neighborhood that boasts one of the highest concentrations of young children in Chicago. The area is also impacted by many issues that cause young children stress: from deportations and crime to high poverty.”